Making a grab for the title of Shropshire’s weirdest vegetable is this carrot which bears more than a passing resemblance to a hand.

It was grown by reader Peter Jackson in the garden of his home in Acton Burnell, near Shrewsbury. His daughter Lindsay, from Condover, said: “Dad is a keen gardener and he actually dug the hand carrot up last year. He took a photo of it because it was such an peculiar shape.

“I saw the unusual vegetables in the Shropshire Star and so thought this would qualify.

“I haven’t told dad I’m doing it, though. He knows nothing about it and I want to surprise him when he sees it in the paper.”

The carrot claw has joined a growing list of freaky foodstuffs vying for the title of weirdest veg grown in the county – and it is up against some tasty opposition.

Most recent contender was a heart-shaped spud, discovered by Bridgnorth reader Bill Inkson in a bag of potatoes bought from his local farm shop.

The 69-year-old’s sentimentality, however, only stretched to taking a few snaps of the potato before it really warmed his heart by being served up as chips.

Mr Inkson’s hearty find came after David Turner, from Much Wenlock, grew two cuddling carrots.

The veg, dug up at Mr Turner’s home at Woodhouse Farm, came out as one but are really two carrots wrapped around each other.

Lifelong gardener Ken Newbrook was the first to lay down a challenge to find the weirdest veg last month when he found two truly potty potatoes while harvesting his crops at his garden in Church Street, Madeley.

One resembled an elephant while the other could best be described as an alien.

With more and more people growing their own, we want to hear from readers who have produced any weird-looking veg. Call the Shropshire Star on (01952) 242424 or e-mail newsroom@shropshirestar.co.uk

By Simon Hardy